The shutters will open and the servants bell will ring
once again as the Downton Abbey cast and crew return to
Highclere Castle to film the highly anticipated feature length
motion picture everyone has been waiting for due out September
2019.

Highclere Castle is one of England's most
beautiful Victorian Castles set amidst 1,000 acres of
spectacular parkland. The Carnarvon family has lived at
Highclere since 1679, and the current Castle stands on the site
of an earlier house, which in turn was built on the foundations
of the medieval palace owned by the Bishops of Winchester for
some 800 years. Your visit will include entry to the
house, gardens and exhibition.

Longstanding friend of the Carnarvon family, Julian Fellowes
had Highclere Castle in mind as he wrote the drama Downton
Abbey. It was filmed on location here at Highclere
Castle. He often commented he wanted a house which
spectacularly testified to the confidence and soaring optimism
of the Edwardian period. The success of Downton Abbey took
everyone by surprise from the first nervous apprehension
whether anyone would like the first episode or stay with it for
the second or third the series has become a phenomenon
with appreciative viewers all around the world.

The Saloon is physically and socially the heart of the
house. It was designed for the 4th Earl by Thomas Allom in a
gothic style with rich decoration and completed in the 1860's.
The remarkable wall coverings are made of leather and
were hung here in 1862. The Dining Room is
dominated by Van Dyck's great equestrian portrait of Charles I.
Either side are portraits of Carnarvon ancestors who took part
in the civil war in England in the 1640s. The Double
Library was in its heyday during the late Victorian period
housing over 5,650 books, the earliest dating from the
16th century. It is used a great deal by the family today to
gather in before and after lunch or dinner. Plus the Music
Room, the Drawing Room, the Smoking Room.

There are 11 bedrooms on the first floor, some of which can
be seen by visitors. The opulent Stanhope bedroom is
decorated in rich red, recalling its decoration for the visit
of the Prince of Wales in December 1895. The Arundel bedroom
and its dressing room were used as an Operating Theatre and
Recovery Room respectively during the First World War. Mercia
bedroom is noted for the charming four-poster bed decorated
with 18th century silks and matching furniture. Quite a few of
the bedrooms are used for the filming of Downton Abbey.

The stone staircase leading from the Saloon, winds up and
down to what were the old staff dining rooms, the cellars,
sitting rooms, utility areas and kitchens. The Downton"
set team partly recreated the lower flight of these stairs
at Ealing Studios where the staff rooms are filmed.

Depart 16.00

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

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